Weight training sled

ABSTRACT

A weight sled provides a frame with runners and reconfigurable handles to provide use of the sled as a wheelbarrow apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to weight training sleds, and in particular to such devices which are reconfigurable for different exercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Physical training equipment comes in many functional variations, one of which is a weight sled. Weight sleds are typically supported on runners which provide friction with a support surface against which work is performed by pushing the sled for muscle strengthening. As training methods evolve and become more sophisticated to train different muscles using different methods and equipment, the types and different pieces equipment increase. Thus, multi-use equipment has proliferated for providing the correct type of exercise for different muscles while using only a single piece of equipment. The value of multi-use training equipment is well recognized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention provides a weight training sled, comprising: a frame having a front end and a rear end; a first member adapted for temporarily attaching weights to the frame; a pair of rear runners and a pair of front runners attached to the frame and extending downward from the frame; two pairs of upward facing receptacles including a rear pair of receptacles and a front pair of receptacles; and a pair of elongated members each adapted to individually engage each receptacle and extend upward from the frame.

The sled may further comprise an axle attached to a front end of the frame and adapted for rotatable mounting of a common circular barbell weight to the frame as a wheel for the frame. The front axle may be mounted to the frame forward from the front pair of runners. The sled may further comprise an inverted u-shaped member mounted to the frame in proximity to opposing ends of the axle and extending upward, allowing clearance for a common barbell weight mounted on the axle by the u-shaped member. The sled may further comprise a pair of rearward facing receptacles mounted to the frame and each adapted to engage an individual elongated member with the engaged elongated member extending rearward from the frame, to form a lifting handle for the rear end of the frame. The rearward facing receptacles may be angled outward towards the rear of the frame to provide increasing separation between elongated members engaged in the rearward facing receptacles with increasing distance from the frame.

The sled may further comprise a pair of rearward facing receptacles mounted to the frame and each adapted to engage an individual elongated member with the engaged elongated member extending rearward from the frame, to form a lifting handle for the rear end of the frame. Each of the upward facing receptacles of the two pairs of receptacles may attach a separate runner to the frame. The elongated members may be located in either the rear pair of receptacles or the front pair of receptacles to allow the sled to be pushed either toward the front end of the sled or toward the rear end of the sled, respectively. The frame may include a pair of parallel interconnected members extending forward and rearward in the frame. The first member may be elongated and is mounted extending upward from the frame to engage central holes in common circular barbell weights to carry the weights on the frame. The two pair of upward facing receptacles and the elongated members may be adapted to engage snugly to transmit horizontal force from the elongated members to the frame. The front pair of receptacles and the rear pair of receptacles may have different spacing between their individual receptacles to provide different spacing between elongated members mounted in each pair

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a weight training device, comprising: a frame having a front end and a rear end; a first member adapted for temporarily attaching weights to the frame; a pair of rear runners attached to the frame by means extending downward from the frame; an axle attached to a front end of the frame and adapted for rotatable mounting of a common circular barbell weight to the frame as a supporting wheel for the frame; a pair of rearward facing receptacles mounted to the frame; and a pair of elongated members each adapted to individually engage each rearward facing receptacle and to extend rearward from the frame, wherein individually engaging the pair of elongated members in one of the pair of rearward facing receptacles with a common circular barbell mounted on the axle forms a wheelbarrow-like training device.

The rearward facing receptacles may be angled outward towards the rear of the frame to provide increasing separation between elongated members engaged in the rearward facing receptacles with increasing distance from the frame. The device may further comprise an inverted u-shaped member mounted to the frame in proximity to opposing ends of the axle and extending upward, allowing clearance for a common barbell weight mounted on the axle. The device may further comprise a pair of upward facing receptacles with each individual receptacle mounting one of the pair of rear runners to the frame, wherein the upward facing receptacles are adapted to engage one of the elongated members and couple horizontal force from elongated members engaged therewith to the frame. The first member may be elongated and is mounted to extend upward from the frame to engage central holes in common circular barbell weights to carry the weights on the frame.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a weight training device, comprising: a frame having a front end and a rear end; a first member adapted for temporarily attaching weights to the frame; a pair of runners attached to the frame by means extending downward from the frame to provide contact with a surface; an axle attached to the frame and adapted for rotatable mounting of a wheel to the frame; a pair of rearward facing receptacles mounted to the frame; and at least one elongate handle member attached to and extending outward from the frame, wherein in a first configuration, the frame is movable over the surface by applying a force to the frame substantially in the desired direction, and wherein in a second configuration, the frame is movable over the surface by balancing the frame on a wheel attached to the axle and applying force to the handle member.

Still another embodiment of the present invention provides method for utilizing a weight training device, comprising: providing a weight training device comprising: a frame, a pair of runners attached to the frame, an axle attached to the frame for rotatable mounting a wheel thereto, a pair of rearward facing receptacles mounted to the frame, at least one elongated handle member attached to and extending outward from the frame, and a first member adapted for temporarily attaching weights to the frame; moving the weight training device over a surface by one of applying a force to the frame substantially in the desired direction and balancing the frame on a wheel attached to the axle and applying force to the handle member. The method may further comprise attaching weights to the first member of frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustratively shown and described in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a weight training sled constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the weight training sled of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a weight training sled of FIG. 1 reconfigured as a wheelbarrow apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a front end view of the weight training sled of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a weight training sled of FIG. 1 shown in a sled configuration that may be pushed from either the front or rear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a weight training sled 10 generally including a frame 12, two pairs of push handles 14, 16 a pair of lift handles 18, and a vertical member 20 adapted for mounting common circular barbell weights on frame 12. Also included are two pairs of runners 22, 24 mounted to extend downward from frame 12 for supporting sled 10 on a surface. Runners 22, 24 are mounted to frame 12 by two pairs of upwardly facing receptacles 26, 28, respectively. Receptacles 26, 28 have a circular cross section and are sized to receive the handles 14, 16 in a secure frictional fit to allow the transfer of horizontal force from handles 14, 16 to frame 12. Any suitable means may be used for attaching runners 22, 24 to frame 12. The use of receptacles 26, 28 for this purpose is preferred for efficiency.

Also attached to frame 12 are a pair of rearward facing receptacles 30, which are adapted to receive lift handles 18. Receptacles 30 include a pair of pop pins 31 used for securing lift handles 18 into receptacles 30. Further attached to frame 12 is a horizontal axle 32 adapted for mounting a common circular barbell weight 33 (FIG. 3) as a wheel for sled 10. Also mounted to frame 12, just behind axle 32, is an inverted u-shaped member 34. Axle 32 is held to frame 12 by a pair of hubs 35, 36, the latter of which includes a pop pin 37 for retaining axle 32.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of sled 10, which includes a front end 40 and a rear end 42, with axle 32 mounted at front end 40 and receptacles 30 mounted at rear end 42 and facing rearward so that lift handles 18 extend rearward and outward from frame 12. Frame 12 generally includes a pair of parallel elongated members 44 extending between front end 40 and rear end 42. Elongated members 44 are interconnected by a plurality of cross members 46, 47, 48 and 49. Cross member 46 is also used for mounting the rear pair of upward facing receptacles 28 and one end of receptacles 30 to frame 12. Cross member 47 is also used for connecting another end of rearward facing receptacles 30 to frame 12. Cross member 48 is also used for connecting upward extending member 20 (FIG. 1) to frame 12. Cross member 49 only serves as a structural connection between elongated members 44. Elongated members 44 are further interconnected near the front end 40 by means of inverted u-shaped member 34 (FIG. 1), which extends upward from frame 12 to provide clearance for a circular barbell weight 33 mounted on axle 32.

Two noticeable aspects in FIG. 2 are that the front pair of runners 22 are mounted more closely that the rear pair of runners 24, and that the rear facing receptacles 30 are angled outward towards the rear end 42. This angular mounting provides angular orientation for lift handles 18 so that their separation increases with distance from the sled. Another feature is that axle 32 is mounted in from of the front pair of runners 22.

Push handles 14, 16 and lift handles 18 are intended to be substantially the same and formed as elongated members each of which is adapted to fit in one of the different pairs of receptacles 26, 28 and 30. In this manner, frame 12 is preferably sold and used with just two pairs of handles 14, 16, 18, even though a single pair of handles may be used together in any one pair of receptacles 26, 28, 30. The use of two pairs of handles 14,16,18 is preferred as shown in the configuration of FIGS. 3 and 5. The ability to remove and relocate the pairs of handles 14, 16 and 18 allows sled 10 to be conveniently packaged and shipped because vertical member 20 is only bolted to frame 12. Bolting is sufficient even though weights are located on and around member 20. Thus, frame 12, member 20 and one pair of handles 14, 16, 18 may be easily packed in relatively flat box and without the extra weight of two of the pairs of handles. Circular barbell weights do not need to be shipped with sled 10 because users typically already have such common weights. The common weight in the industry is just a circular weight having a 2″ (50 cm) center hole, such as those used in the Olympics.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of weight training sled 10 used with two pairs of handles 14,18, wherein the rear pair of handles 16 (FIG. 1) has been relocated to the receptacles 30 to act as lift handles 18. FIG. 3 also shows the mounting of a common circular barbell weight 33 on axle 32. These two features of FIG. 3 provide a wheelbarrow configuration to sled 10. Additional circular barbell weights would be added to member 20 to increase the work load.

FIG. 3 also demonstrates the small side profile of frame 12 when handles 14, 16, 18 and member 20 are removed from frame 12. Also demonstrated is the placement of axle 32 forward from runner 26, which provides ground clearance for runner 26 when a common circular barbell weight is attached to axle 32 as a wheel.

FIG. 4 is a front end view of sled 10 demonstrating the difference in separation between handles 14 and handles 16.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of sled 10 configured simply as a push sled that can be pushed either from the front or rear. Handles 18 (FIG. 1) have been removed and a common circular barbell weight 50 has been located on member 20. The common circular barbell weight 50, as referred to in this application is simply a widely used size of approximately 17.7″ in diameter with a center hole of approximately 2″ diameter, FIG. 5, except for weight 50, also shows the standard shipping components of sled 10 with two pairs of handles 14,16, which may be reconfigured for the wheelbarrow arrangement of FIG. 3. Sled 10 is sized to allow use with common barbell weights, which users would normally have available.

In use, sled 10 may be easily set up and reconfigured as needed. The only assembly required is the bolting of elongated member 20 to cross member 48, and he bolting of u-shaped member 34 to frame 12. Any common circular barbell weights 33,50 may be loaded on to member 20. The weight load can vary from none to about six weights or approximately 300 pounds. Pairs of handles 14, 16, 18 may be located in any pair of receptacles 14, 16, 18. Receptacles 14, 16 use a frictional fit sufficient of transmit horizontal force from handles 14, 16 to frame 12. Receptacles 30 are longer and use a looser fit, relying upon pop pins 31 to retain handles 18.

Receptacles 26, 28 are intended to enable use of sled 12 as a push sled that can be pushed either toward front end 40 or rear end 42. Placing handles in the rear pair of receptacles 28 enables the sled to be pushed in its forward direction, and placing the pair of handles in the front pair of receptacles 26 enables the sled to be pushed in its rear direction. The function difference between the pairs of receptacles 26, 28 is their difference in spacing which accommodates different sizes of athletes and allows for some variation in the muscles used by the athlete. Sled 10 may also be easily reconfigured by simply relocating a single pair of handles between pairs of receptacles 26 and 28. The inverted u-shaped handle 34 may also be used for pushing sled 10.

A further easily reconfiguration of sled 10 is into the form of a wheelbarrow. The is accomplished by pulling pop pin 36 and removing axle 32 from hubs 35-36. A common circular barbell weight may be located between hubs 35-36. And the axle 32 slid through the standard central hole in the barbell weight. The front end 40 of frame 12 may be lifted slightly by the use of u-shaped handle 34, as needed. The pair of handles is then located in the rear facing receptacles 28 as shown for lift handles 18 and secured with pop pins 31. Lifting force may then be applied to handles 18 for a wheelbarrow exercise. The location of axle 32 in front of runners 22 allows runners 22 to clear the ground when the rear end 42 is elevated. The angled lift handles 18 cause the spacing between them to change with distance from frame 12 and thus enable the accommodation of different sized athletes.

The present invention is introduced using examples and particular embodiments for descriptive purposes. Although a variety of examples are presented to show how various configurations can be employed to achieve the desired improvements, these particular embodiments are only illustrative and not intended in any way to restrict the inventions presented. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A weight training sled, comprising: a frame having a front end and a rear end; a first member adapted for temporarily attaching weights to the frame; a pair of rear runners and a pair of front runners attached to the frame by means extending downward from the frame; two pairs of upward facing receptacles including a rear pair of receptacles and a front pair of receptacles; and a pair of elongated members each adapted to individually engage each receptacle and extend upward from the frame.
 2. The sled of claim 1, further comprising an axle attached to the front end of the frame and adapted for rotatable mounting of a common circular barbell weight to the frame as a wheel for the frame.
 3. The sled of claim 2, wherein the front axle is mounted to the frame forward from the front pair of runners.
 4. The sled of claim 2, further comprising an inverted u-shaped member mounted to the frame in proximity to opposing ends of the axle and extending upward, allowing clearance for a common barbell weight mounted on the axle by the u-shaped member.
 5. The sled of claim 2, further comprising a pair of rearward facing receptacles mounted to the frame and each adapted to engage an individual elongated member with the engaged elongated member extending rearward from the frame, to form a lifting handle for the rear end of the frame.
 6. The sled of claim 5, wherein the rearward facing receptacles are angled outward towards the rear of the frame to provide increasing separation between elongated members engaged in the rearward facing receptacles with increasing distance from the frame.
 7. The sled of claim 1, further comprising a pair of rearward facing receptacles mounted to the frame and each adapted to engage an individual elongated member with the engaged elongated member extending rearward from the frame, to form a lifting handle for the rear end of the frame.
 8. The sled of claim 1, wherein each of the upward facing receptacles of the two pairs of receptacles attaches a separate runner to the frame.
 9. The sled of claim 1, wherein the elongated members may be located in either the rear pair of receptacles or the front pair of receptacles to allow the sled to be pushed either toward the front end of the sled or toward the rear end of the sled, respectively.
 10. The sled of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a pair of parallel interconnected members extending forward and rearward in the frame.
 11. The sled of claim 1, wherein the first member is elongated and is mounted extending upward from the frame to engage central holes in common circular barbell weights to carry the weights on the frame.
 12. The sled of claim 1, wherein the two pair of upward facing receptacles and the elongated members are adapted to engage snugly to transmit horizontal force from the elongated members to the frame.
 13. The sled of claim 1, wherein the front pair of receptacles and the rear pair of receptacles have different spacing between their individual receptacles to provide different spacing between elongated members mounted in each pair.
 14. A weight training device, comprising: a frame having a front end and a rear end; a first member adapted for temporarily attaching weights to the frame; a pair of rear runners attached to the frame by means extending downward from the frame; an axle attached to a front end of the frame and adapted for rotatable mounting of a common circular barbell weight to the frame as a supporting wheel for the frame; a pair of rearward facing receptacles mounted to the frame; and a pair of elongated members each adapted to individually engage each rearward facing receptacle and to extend rearward from the frame, wherein individually engaging the pair of elongated members in one of the pair of rearward facing receptacles with a common circular barbell mounted on the axle forms a wheelbarrow-like training device.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the rearward facing receptacles are angled outward towards the rear of the frame to provide increasing separation between elongated members engaged in the rearward facing receptacles with increasing distance from the frame.
 16. The device of claim 14, further comprising an inverted u-shaped member mounted to the frame in proximity to opposing ends of the axle and extending upward, allowing clearance for a common barbell weight mounted on the axle.
 17. The device of claim 14, further comprising a pair of upward facing receptacles with each individual receptacle mounting one of the pair of rear runners to the frame, wherein the upward facing receptacles are adapted to engage one of the elongated members and couple horizontal force from elongated members engaged therewith to the frame.
 18. The device of claim 14, wherein the first member is elongated and is mounted to extend upward from the frame to engage central holes in common circular barbell weights to carry the weights on the frame.
 19. A weight training device, comprising: a frame having a front end and a rear end; a first member adapted for temporarily attaching weights to the frame; a pair of runners attached to the frame by means extending downward from the frame provide contact with a surface; an axle attached to the frame and adapted for rotatable mounting of a wheel to the frame; a pair of rearward facing receptacles mounted to the frame; and at least one elongate handle member attached to and extending outward from the frame, wherein in a first configuration, the frame is movable over the surface by applying a force to the frame substantially in the desired direction, and wherein in a second configuration, the frame is movable over the surface by balancing the frame on a wheel attached to the axle and applying force to the handle member.
 20. A method for utilizing a weight training device, comprising: A) providing a weight training device comprising: i) a frame, ii) a pair of runners attached to the frame, iii) an axle attached to the frame for rotatable mounting a wheel thereto, iv) a pair of rearward facing receptacles mounted to the frame, v) at least one elongated handle member attached to and extending outward from the frame, and vi) a first member adapted for temporarily attaching weights to the frame; B) moving the weight training device over a surface by one of applying a force to the frame substantially in the desired direction and balancing the frame on a wheel attached to the axle and applying force to the handle member.
 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising: C) attaching weights to the first member of frame. 